Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177 near Rock Springs, WY — 2011-09-23

Final reportWPR11LA463
Sign in to save
Date
2011-09-23
Location
Rock Springs, WY, USA
Airport
RKS
Aircraft
CESSNA 177
Registration
N3152T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot did not lean the fuel mixture prior to takeoff, which resulted in the engine's inability to attain sufficient power due to the rich mixture, and his inadequate preflight planning.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he leaned the mixture in order to start the engine, but he did not lean the mixture prior to takeoff and did not remember using the Before Takeoff checklist. Shortly after takeoff and during the initial climb, the engine power was smooth and strong, but, about 500 feet above ground level, the engine started vibrating and the airplane began to lose altitude. Not being able to return to the airport, the pilot made an emergency off-field landing. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear impacted a hole or a berm, which resulted in the collapse of the left main gear. A postaccident engine run revealed no anomalies with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s owner’s manual notes that, for maximum rate-of-climb performance at airports above 5,000 feet, the mixture control should be leaned. The elevation of the airport was 6,764 feet. The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 7,907 feet.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not readjust mixture control before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

Related mishaps